“Every Beavertail is always packed,” says Shawna McLeod, a board member for Fort Simpson’s annual jamboree. “It’s really great to see.”
Residents from across the Dehcho are gathering in the village for this week’s 2024 edition of the Beavertail Jamboree.
“The concept is to celebrate the end of winter,” said Mike Squirrel, a longtime jamboree organizer. “Everybody had a long, tough winter, and we just want to get everybody outdoors, enjoy the nice warm weather, meet friends and have a good time.”
“It’s celebrating the renewal, spring,” said Jonathan Antoine, community tourism coordinator for the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation.
“People want to enjoy being outside, so there’s a lot of activities in the community to get families and people together.”
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Since it began in 1976, the jamboree has been a staple of the community. Residents take part in games, traditional events, and contests from cake decorating to log throwing.
Two hundred and fifty people attended an opening ceremony and drum dance at Fort Simpson’s recreation centre on Thursday night.
“The mayor, the chiefs, the grand chief, chiefs from other communities, they all come together. They all get to know one another, hobnob, make friends, build connections,” said Bianca Gargan, a Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation council member.
“I know with the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, we work really hard to try to build relations with the smaller communities.”
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The NWT Recreations and Parks Association honoured Ashley and Megan Okrainec and their mother, Rosa Wright, with an award for their work promoting traditional teachings at an on-the-land camp.
On Friday evening, the Amazing Northern Women Awards – hosted by the Status of Women Council of the NWT – presented 15 awards to women across the Dehcho, recognizing people who contribute to their community and culture.
Recipients included Louisa Moreau, Claudia Bittner, Diane Harold, Gombee Jose, Theresa Bonnetrouge, Kristen Morrison, Amy Fraser Michaud, Dahti Tsetso, Tanya Hardisty, Catherine Nahanni, Miranda Elleze, Lydia Nelner, Yvonne Jumbo, Madison Pilling and the late Sarah Lennie.
Mike Squirrel has spent more than 20 years on the board organizing the jamboree. This year, a new board has taken over the planning. Squirrel stayed on to help with the transition.
The new board members are McLeod, Ramona Hardisty-Gillis, Betty Hardisty, Marti Lys, Ashley Menicoche and Derek Squirrel.
“The new board is really excited to bring forward new events,” said McLeod. “I think a lot of community members are really excited about some new ideas.”
Some of those ideas include this year’s hosting, for the first time, of a Strong Man and Woman competition, and the cake decorating contest.
Some residents took the opportunity to raise awareness for causes close to their heart.
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The cake decorating competition sported one cake with a message on harm reduction and mental health resources for community members.
A community favourite is the annual adult talent show.
This year’s talent show took place on the Saturday of the jamboree, offering residents the chance to show off skills like jigging, singing and playing music.
“Our highlight every year is our adult talent show and also our snow drags, our outdoor traditional events,” said Squirrel.
“I just want to invite everybody from the Dehcho to come and celebrate our winter carnival.”
“The talent shows are one of the best things of the jamboree,” said Antoine. “It’s great to see everybody enjoying themselves at those events.”
Antoine, who sings and plays guitar, was one of the performers.
“Every year it’s fun. It’s great to see old, familiar faces and new faces in the community attending the events,” said Antoine.
“It’s all about the laughter, I think. You’ve just got to enjoy yourself.”
The Government of the Northwest Territories provided travel and accommodation associated with this reporting, but had no editorial input or control.
